RESOURCES

Donating and recycling are very important to me. With just a little bit of effort, you can give away almost anything to someone else who can use it. Please take a look at some of my favorite resources and try to recycle or donate rather than throwing useable things away and adding to our landfills. I also have a section on how to reduce all the excess catalogs and junk mail so we can stop wasting so much paper. We can all make a difference!

For useable items you no longer need, try our Donating suggestions. To stop the mailbox overflow, see our Junk Mail solutions. Not sure what or where to Recycle? Want to try selling your things or just need them hauled away? Here are some More Helpful Resources.

If you don't use it, someone else will!

Donating

Accepts Almost Everything
Appliances, Books, Clothes, Furniture, etc.

Art Supplies

• Scroungers' Center for Re-Usable Art Parts accepts items such as paper, wire, leather, feathers, beads, art supplies, and much more. Your donations are creatively reused by needy schools and programs.

Books

• Access Books- needs children's books and educational magazines. Check out their Wish List.
• Most local libraries have a "Friends of the Library" group that would be happy to take your book donations. Here is information on the Los Angeles area.

Cell Phones

• Donate A Phone reprograms old cell phones for emergency use for domestic violence victims.

Clothes

• Dress for Success accepts contemporary suits for low income women who are interviewing for jobs.
  
• The Glass Slipper Project accepts prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses for low income high school girls.

DVDs

• Kid Flicks creates video libraries for Children’s Hospitals and Pediatric Wards with your DVD donations.

Eyeglasses

• Lions Club International and Give the Gift of Sight will clean and repair your old prescription glasses and distribute them to those in need.

Jewelry

• Jewels for Hope accepts jewelry- costume or real- to benefit the Children's Diabetes Foundation.

Office Related

• LA Shares takes donations of office furniture and supplies and matches them up with needy schools and non-profits. They send you a tax receipt and a letter from the recipient thanking you. Those letters always mean a lot to donors.

Remember to ask for your tax receipt!

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Junk Mail

• To reduce your unwanted catalogs, try Catalog Choice for free. It is quick and easy.
• To reduce your unwanted catalogs and junk mail, join Green Dimes which will also plant some trees while helping you reduce the mail you get. Their basic service is free and they also have a premium service. Another quick and easy way to make a difference!
• To reduce junk mail, e-mails, and unwanted phone calls, see this handy guide.

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Recycling

Some specific recycling options:

• Blue Bin: Not sure what you can recycle? Check the LA Bureau of Sanitation. You can recycle all clean plastic containers numbered 1-7, aluminum foil, wire hangers (please try and take them back to the dry-cleaner first), plastic grocery bags, dry-cleaning bags, and more!
• E-Waste Recycling Centers in Los Angeles- where they accept old computers and electronics as well as household batteries, chemicals, and medications. Just drive up to their center and they will unload your car. It could not be easier!
• Major stores have recycling programs for things from batteries to cell phones including: Best Buy, Home Depot, Ikea, Office Depot, and Staples.
• Brita Pitcher Filters: Brita
• Packing Peanuts: Peanut Hotline (800) 828-2214
• Sneakers: Nike's Reuse a Shoe Program
• Wine Corks: Yemm & Hart

More information on recycling:

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More Helpful Resources

• To give things away for free, post your items on Craig's List and Freecycle. Somebody out there can use what you don't need anymore- and they will come pick it up for free. It is so easy to do and it is nice to know your things are going to someone who will use them. You can also try Help Neighbors to give your extra things to needy families in your area.
• To sell things, try eBay or Craig's List. If you want to sell your things on eBay, but don't want to actually do the work yourself, try eBay Trading Assistants or iSoldIt. To sell books, music, and movies try Half.com.
• For large items no longer in good condition, call Public Works 48 hours before your regularly scheduled trash collection day. The Household Rubbish Pick-ups and Recycling Hot-line is (800)773-2489. (But try Freecycle and Craig's List Free first because people will take almost anything!)
• For large amounts of non-useable materials, try 1-800-GOT-JUNK. This service brings their truck and workers to load up your junk for disposal or recycling.

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